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The World Black Pudding Throwing Championship is returning to Greater Manchester this weekend
One of our region’s finest traditions is back!
It’s that time of the year again: After a brief hiatus thanks to Covid, the World Black Pudding Throwing Championship is making its grand return to Ramsbottom this weekend.
The premise of the event is simple – competitors hurl black puddings onto a 20ft-high plinth in a bid to dislodge a dozen Yorkshire puddings. Each participant is given three turns to try and knock down as many Yorkshire puds as they can, with the person knocking the most off being crowned the eventual winner.
The competition, held annually on the second weekend of September, dates back to the 1980s but has origins in the historic Lancashire-Yorkshire rivalry from the 1400s; according to legend the act of lobbing black puddings is believed to derive from the War of the Roses, when the two sides allegedly resorted to throwing food at each other when their ammunition ran out.
@worldblackpudding / Facebook
Apparently black puddings were thrown by the Lancashire troops, while Yorkshire puddings were hurled back by their Yorkshire counterparts. Obviously, this is a very important piece of history so, in 1984, a decision was made to bring back the tradition by Stubbins Community Trust, and it has been an overwhelmingly popular affair ever since.
Last year, the festivities were ground to a halt as a result of the Covid pandemic but, this weekend, it is coming back with a bang (and an abundance of flying black puddings, of course).
On Sunday, September 12th, the 2021 World Black Pudding Throwing Championship will be taking place at its usual location – outside the Royal Oak Pub on Bridge Street in Ramsbottom between 11am – 4pm. The event is completely free to attend, with black pudding throwers needing to pay just £1 to take part.
Speaking to the Bury Times, organiser Jim Cunliffe said of the comeback: “It is the just the tonic Ramsbottom needs after the last eighteen months. We have started putting the flags up and bunting will go up. The East Lancashire Railway will be supporting us and we will be having stalls.”
@worldblackpudding / Facebook
He added that measures will be put in place in the wake of Covid, with hand sanitisers placed around to limit the risk of the virus.
He said: “The event is all about bringing people to Ramsbottom, people do come from all over and supporting charities. They have really struggled during the pandemic.”
2019’s Black Pudding Throwing champion, Tom Lowden will be heading back this weekend to defend his title, so make sure you bring your A game if you’re planning on taking part.
For more information, follow the events official Facebook page here.
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Manchester’s biggest Country and Western night is happening this weekend
Get ready for a boot-scootin’, rootin’ tootin’ good time!
Manchester’s biggest night of Country and Western floor fillers is happening this week.
Red Solo Club is bringing its successful club night to Cooper Hall on Saturday, June 10th — yeehaw!
Put on your best cowboy hat and boots, and get ready for a great night of dancing as country lovers can expect to hear some absolute contemporary bangers by the likes of Luke Combs, Taylor Swift and Shania Twain.
And for those who love to a little Hillbilly Rock, there will also be occasional interludes of traditional country singalongs from Kenny Rogers, Alan Jackson, Jimmy Buffett and more.
Since its first night sell-out in November 2022, Red Solo Club has grown to become a successful bi-monthly event in Manchester, and as of July, it will be coming to Glasgow too.
Taking its name from Toby Keith’s country hit Red Solo Cup, Red Solo Club was created by friends Ste Brown and James Macdonald.
They said: “We were both introduced to modern country music while driving around America together about 15 years ago. You can’t go far over there without hearing some country music, and our interest in it has grown and grown since then.”
The pair also present The Dive Bar on LCRUK — an online country radio station setup during lockdown.
They continued: “We’d play all this music on our show and go to gigs but there was nowhere in the area that would play these songs late into the night, so we thought… why not do it ourselves?
“The genre is becoming really popular in the UK, and with young people too. I think some people maybe assume it’s just line dancing, stetsons and Achy Breaky Heart but give it a listen and realise there’s some great rock and pop songs — just with a little southern American twist.”
Red Solo Club is Manchester’s biggest country party, playing five hours of the best country music at Cooper Hall, Northern Quarter, on Saturday June 10th 9pm to 2am.
Ticket prices start from £5 and can be purchased by clicking HERE. Advanced tickets are available for £6, or £7 for anybody wishing to pay on the door.
What's On
P!NK is kicking-off her world tour in Bolton next week
P!NK will bring her tour to Greater Manchester next week
Pop star P!NK is set to kick-off her world tour starting in Bolton next week.
The 43-year-old superstar will embark on her Summer Carnival World Tour next week at the University of Bolton Stadium on Wednesday and Thursday, June 7th and 8th.
The popular American singer-songwriter will take to the stage — in her upcoming eighth concert tour — for the two days as she performs some of her well-known hits and best loved tracks, including songs from her latest album, Trustfall.
The six-pack sporting musician, whose real name is Alecia Beth Moore Hart, posted an image of herself suspended in the air, while practising some kind of aerial arts, on Instagram last week to give fans a taste of what’s to come.
Alongside the image she wrote: “Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.”
The quote was taken from the 19th-century American philosopher and poet Henry Thoreau. One excited fan wrote: “Can’t wait to see u in Berlin!! I’m flying from Barcelona.”
Another one-upped them and said: “Can’t wait to see her in Germany!!! flying from NY to Barcelona then to Germany!!” A third fan added: “Can’t wait to see you in July…this will be so fantastic.”
The concerts will be held in the open air, with doors opening from 4.30pm and music due to start at 5.30pm – 11pm on both days.
P!NK will be supported by special guests at the concerts including Kidcutup, Gayle and The Script.
The council has issued advice for parking and traffic management with extensive traffic restrictions in place due to concertgoers travelling by different forms of transport such as car, coaches, public transport, taxis and also by foot.
Tickets for the events can be purchased by clicking HERE.
What's On
The Champions League final is being shown at Manchester’s biggest fan park
A Sky Sports presenter plus a genuine footballing legend will be there to give their match analysis
A Champion’s League Final festival is coming to The Love Factory in Manchester for the big game next month.
Sporting events company, 4TheFans has announced its UEFA Champions League Final Festival FanPark at Love Factory in central Manchester on Saturday, June 10th.
Man City secured their place at the Istanbul final when they beat Real Madrid at the Etihad.
As the Blues march into the final for what could be a historic treble, families are welcome to watch them at this the huge indoor and outdoor event — opening its doors from 3pm. The match will kick-off at 8pm GMT.
Only 10 minutes walk from Manchester Victoria, it will be the ultimate place for all the family to watch Manchester City take on Inter Milan.
Fans will get to enjoy the big game on huge anti-glare screens and soak up entertainment including a Sky Sports presenter, football legend, DJs, competitions, and fun footy activities — the atmosphere will be immense!
Hosting the event will be a Sky Sports presenter plus a Man City legend to give their match analysis and have bags of banter as part of an interactive show for the fans.
The real festival atmosphere will continue as fans enjoy a variety of food and drink (including award-winning pies), and more.
All ages are welcome making this the most family-friendly fan park available. Kids can take on their parents in footy activations including penalty shootouts, and a precision wall to test their accuracy.
And when Manchester City score, get ready for big celebrations with awesome special effects such as pyrotechnics and cO2 cannons!
Tickets are expected to sell out fast so fans should move quickly to secure their spot and avoid disappointment! General admission tickets start at £8 per person for a group of six, and £10 for individual tickets with a VIP box starting from £75 per person.
To book tickets and find out more CLICK HERE.
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